A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

to recognize and honor lee county sheriff's office Chief Deputy J. Chase Iseman, SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lance Corporal Gene Mike Norris, and Special Agents Neal Nelson and Spencer Pumphrey, both with the south carolina law enforcement division, and to congratulate them for being awarded the 2024 south carolina sheriffs' association medal of valor. 

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly are proud to recognize the law enforcement officers of the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, who were awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor for their courageous actions during an incident involving the shooting of a McBee police officer and the subsequent flight of the suspect from the scene; and

 

Whereas, this prestigious award is presented annually to law enforcement officers who display exceptional courage, decisiveness, presence of mind, and swift action, often at a great personal risk, to save or protect human life; and

 

Whereas, on September 19, 2024, a police officer was shot during a traffic stop in the Town of McBee. The suspect fled the scene, prompting a widespread search for his whereabouts.  The following day, September 20, 2024, Chief Deputy J. Chase Iseman, Lance Corporal Gene Mike Norris, Special Agent Neal Nelson, and Special Agent Spencer Pumphrey were working on an unrelated case in Lee County when they were informed that the suspect in the McBee officer's shooting was believed to be in the vicinity of Lee State Park.  The officers immediately responded, and upon arrival, Chief Deputy Iseman and Lance Corporal Norris, who were traveling together, identified the suspect's vehicle and relayed the information to SLED agents in the area.  The officers began following the suspect, maintaining visual contact as additional resources were deployed to the area; and

 

Whereas, approximately four minutes later, the officers lost sight of the vehicle as it turned onto Una Road and disappeared around a bend.  As they rounded the corner, the officers discovered the suspect's vehicle blocking both lanes of traffic.  Only forty-to-fifty yards away, they saw the suspect at the rear of the vehicle, aiming a rifle at them.  As the officers exited their patrol car, the suspect immediately opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire, with the suspect firing several hundred rounds at their patrol vehicle which contained Lee County Sheriff's Office K-9 Deputy Mikka.  The patrol car was struck and caught fire from the barrage of bullets, but K-9 Deputy Mikka could not be rescued due to the severity of the gunfire.  The suspect was wounded during the exchange of gunfire and was later found deceased in a nearby field.  In the aftermath of the shooting, the suspect was discovered to be in possession of several loaded AR-15 magazines and a pipe bomb.  The swift and heroic actions of these four officers prevented further tragedy at the hands of the suspect; and

 

Whereas, in recognition of their exceptional bravery and dedication to duty, Chief Deputy J. Chase Iseman, Lance Corporal Gene Mike Norris, Special Agent Neal Nelson, and Special Agent Spencer Pumphrey have been awarded the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor, honoring their commitment to the highest ideals of law enforcement; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly express deep appreciation for the courage and dedication of these officers, who risk their lives daily to protect the citizens of our great State.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Lee County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy J. Chase Iseman, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Lance Corporal Gene Mike Norris, and Special Agents Neal Nelson and Spencer Pumphrey, both with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and to congratulate them for being awarded the 2024 South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Medal of Valor.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Chief Deputy J. Chase Iseman, Lance Corporal Gene Mike Norris, Special Agent Neal Nelson, and Special Agent Spencer Pumphrey. 

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